Christmas Chores

Canopus had once been an ordinary Chinese man, and he had never seriously celebrated so-called "Western holidays."

But now he was British, so he ought to celebrate this holiday as if it were the Spring Festival from his previous life.

Canopus carefully selected gifts for his friends. He bought Ron a new set of Wizard Chess, hoping he would enjoy it.

For Neville, he prepared a magical quill that could write down things its holder had forgotten. Canopus had modified it himself, dismantling a Remembrall and a Quick-Quotes Quill.

He extracted the core spells from both: the Remembrall's "retrieve" and the Quick-Quotes Quill's "output." After combining them, he had created this magical quill.

Hermione's gift required the least thought. Canopus bought her a set of The Tales of Beedle the Bard. As a witch born to ordinary people, there was nothing wrong with filling in some gaps in her knowledge of wizarding fairy tales.

As for Harry, Canopus had really wanted to buy him a copy of How to Get Along with Idi*ts, so he could use it against his awful relatives.

But considering that Harry had recently read so much he was sick of books, Canopus decided to spare him. A Honeydukes gift card should give him a sweet Christmas.

Professors did not normally accept gifts from students, but Canopus's relationship with Dumbledore was practically one of equals. So, he gave Dumbledore a pointed wizard's hat that constantly flashed and changed colors.

If he dared wear it out on the street, enthusiastic people would turn old Dumbledore into the sharpest-looking guy in the pub.

Canopus sat beneath the Christmas tree, opening presents and popping things into his mouth as he did so. Most of his classmates had given him snacks, but Kreacher picked out quite a few chocolates laced with love potion.

Canopus helplessly checked the senders and found that they came from all four Houses, ranging from lower years to upper years.

"Valentine's Day is still a long way off... Kreacher, were Regulus and Sirius Black this popular too?"

"Master," Kreacher said tremulously, "the young ladies of pure-blood families were all very fond of Master Regulus. As for that lowborn wretch who disgraced the family..."

"Kreacher, it's Christmas today. At least call him by his name," Canopus reminded him helplessly.

Kreacher bowed. "Sirius Black always attracted all sorts of questionable people. Thank goodness he left the family after graduating."

Canopus thoughtfully touched his own face. "It seems the Black Family genes really are quite good. Perhaps the family background attracts quite a few people too."

"The Black Family is forever noble and pure!" Kreacher immediately shrieked. "If Master is willing, many young ladies from pure-blood families would certainly be willing to court you."

At that moment, Kreacher was not fighting alone. Canopus's grandmother, along with generations upon generations of Black Family ancestors, all stood behind him.

Through Kreacher's mouth, they issued a question that struck at the soul.

"When does Master plan to marry and have children, to continue the Black Family bloodline?"

"We can discuss that after I come of age."

Canopus calmly pressed down the agitated Kreacher. Otherwise, it seemed that the next second, he would be off handing out flyers to every pure-blood family.

What Canopus had not expected was that one of the gifts came from the Weasleys.

Mrs. Weasley had knitted him a blue pullover with a large letter "C" on it.

Arthur Weasley had sent him a photograph and a letter.

In the photograph, a red-haired young woman was heartily drinking Butterbeer. A Christmas hat sat crookedly on her head, while a turkey rested on a table in the background.

"Canopus, this is a photograph of your mother, Vivian. It was taken at our family's Christmas dinner two years before her death."

"All these years, I never imagined I would see her son standing before me. I hope you can come to the Burrow during the summer holidays. I would very much like to see you in person."

"Your uncle, Arthur Weasley."

Canopus looked at the young woman drinking heartily in the photograph, smiled, and handed it to Kreacher.

"Help me frame it. Put it by my bedside in the bedroom."

In Canopus's memories, Vivian had been brave and strong. She had traded her life for his chance to keep living.

But in the eyes of her brother, she had always been that little girl who had never quite grown up, suddenly vanishing from his life.

"Come to think of it, Kreacher," Canopus suddenly remembered, "how did my parents get together back then? Haven't the Blacks and the Weasleys always disliked each other?"

Kreacher did not seem inclined to discuss Regulus's private affairs, but the person asking was his biological son. Kreacher subconsciously wiped his hands with a towel and gathered his thoughts.

"Master, this may be a long story. Please go take a stroll through Diagon Alley first. When you return tonight, old Kreacher will have both the story and dinner ready."

Canopus had no objections. He also wanted to experience a British Christmas.

As he walked down the street, people's faces glowed with holiday joy. Every shop was decorated with gold and red ribbons, and some particularly wealthy stores had even placed a Christmas tree outside their doors.

Canopus wandered into the Leaky Cauldron. Tom was still standing behind the bar, except now he wore a Christmas hat too. He looked somewhat similar to the house-elf Kreacher in his festive attire.

Even on Christmas, the Leaky Cauldron's hall remained grimy. But that was part of the old inn's charm, because its rooms were actually clean and tidy.

"The Black Family's young master," Tom greeted him. "What brings you here today?"

"Just call me Canopus. Hogwarts is on holiday, so I'm simply wandering around."

"How about a glass of Firewhisky?" Tom's tone was a little strange, as though he were anticipating something.

"No, thanks. I'm still a child." Canopus repeatedly waved his hands, and the drinkers nearby burst into laughter.

"Canopus, this old fellow has been an innkeeper for so many years, but he's never sold an alcoholic drink to a child," one slightly tipsy man explained. "If you really asked for a so-called Firewhisky, he'd mix you a drink of Butterbeer and chili powder. It'll really make you breathe fire."

Another drinker added, "And no matter which family's young master you are, your parents would clap and cheer. They'd never come looking to cause trouble for old Tom."

Canopus laughed as well. He tossed down several Knuts for a cup of coffee, then carried it into Diagon Alley.

Diagon Alley was equally steeped in holiday cheer. Street vendors selling snacks bustled back and forth, while shops rolled out Christmas promotions one after another. The discount signs made people itch to pull out their wallets.

Canopus spotted Neville being led down the street by a very stern-looking old lady. When Neville saw Canopus, his eyes lit up, and he walked over.

At the request of our many readers, we are now launching an ad-free VIP membership feature.

Click to view